Siddarth Kaul has impressed one and all in the ongoing Indian Premier League with his pace and accuracy. The 27-year-old has scalped 11 wickets in 8 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad so far and is currently placed at the second spot in the list of highest wicket-takers, behind Trent Boult (13 wickets in 9 matches).
Kaul, who was part of the World Cup winning India Under-19 team under Virat Kohli in 2008, is yet to represent the country despite some impressive showing in domestic cricket. Although Siddarth was selected in the squad for three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka last year, he didn’t get an opportunity. Nonetheless, Kaul hasn’t lost the hope yet and is optimistic to make his national debut under the inspirational India skipper – Virat Kohli.
“Virat Paaji is an inspiration. The way he has conducted himself in the last 10 years is just fantastic. I might be a bit late but I have always believed that it is better to be late than never. I didn’t get a chance to play in the series against Sri Lanka. I hope I get to make my debut under Virat soon,” Siddarth quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
“It has been challenging to make a mark for myself. Injuries hamper a fast bowler’s life and then one has to start afresh. I have done a lot of mental conditioning in the past one year, which has helped me to remain focused and positive,” he added.
Siddarth and his elder brother Uday were blessed with sporting genes as his father (Dr Tej Kaul) was a cricketer and mother (Sandhya Kaul) was a gymnastics coach. In fact, his father was associated with the Indian cricket team in the 1990s as a physiotherapist.
“Our parents gave us a conducive environment where we could excel at sports as children. While my father would become our cricket coach, our mother used to be our fitness trainer,” Siddarth recalled.
During the IPL auction in January 2018, Kaul was re-purchased by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 3.8 crores. The right-armer had entered into the auction with a base price of 30 lakhs. Having the attention of the cricketing fraternity with his huge IPL bid, Siddarth understands his responsibility pretty well.
“My job is to deliver the goods and give my best in whatever tournament I’m playing. I know I have to prove my mettle and just remain focused,” Kaul said.
“I know I have to excel at every level to leave an impression. I’m up for that challenge and raring to make my debut soon. If it’s destined to happen it will happen. All I can say is, I have miles to go before I sleep,” he concluded.
